xxx learning process, materials, and activities carried out in the classroom. It is better to
prepare a graded steps starting from the easiest way to the most difficult ones so that the students successfully possess a systematic and graded way of thinking.
To achieve the goal, of course, practices will make them perfect. The more the students practice writing with a systematic and graded way, better results will be in the
students which sharpen their sensitivity in choosing the diction, using the appropriate grammar as well as the writing styles and genres. In this process, a student-centered
activity will give the students more chances to improve their writing by the guidance of the lecturers functioning themselves as the facilitators and guides.
a. The meaning of Clustering Technique
A clustering technique developed by Rico 1983 to improve writing skill is adapted by Henry 1985-1986 to facilitate thinking in classroom setting in
http:Sekolah – menulis\.comblogpenulisanmengatasi-hambatan-menulis. Hogue 1996: 91 states that clustering like listing is another way to get ideas to write about
something and write them in circle or bubbles, around the topic. Based on this statement, clustering is the writing technique to develop their ideas learners and write the words or
phrases in circles or bubbles. Proett and Gill in Seow, 2002: 316 define that clustering is a simple yet powerful strategy. Its visual character seems to stimulate the flow of
association and particularly good for students who know what they want to say but just can’t say it.
Based on this statement, it can be concluded that clustering is a strategy to stimulate the learner for developing their idea that’s difficult to say. In other words,
clustering means a group of activities. It is the writing technique in grouping the idea by
xxxi using pictures. Based on this statement, clustering is kind of teaching writing technique
by using a group or pictures. Dawson and Essid in
www.writing2.richmond.eduwritingwwebcluster. html- 4k,
say that clustering is a type of prewriting that allows the learners to explore many ideas as soon as they occur to the learners. Like brainstorming or free associating,
clustering allows learners to begin without clear ideas. So, it can be concluded that clustering can explore many ideas from mind. It is a good way to develop idea before
starting the writing activity. The learners can do it on their own or with friends or classmates to try to find inspiration or ideas
Clustering is a nonlinear activity that generates ideas, images and feelings around a stimulus word as follows:
www.sdcoe.k12.ca.usscoreactbanktcluster.htm-2k- Based on this statement, clustering is an activities that generate idea by using
circles and it starts from a stimulus word or the words expectation, then develop them into several groups.
Reid 1993: 6 mentions that the invention of clustering helps writers to generate, develop, and arrange their ideas. It can be said that clustering helps the learners in
developing their idea. The goal of clustering is to determine the intrinsic grouping a set of unlabeled data. It can be shown that there is no absolute “best” criterion which would be
xxxii independent of the final aim of the clustering. Consequently, it is used to supply this
criterion, in such way that the result of the clustering will suit their needs www.home
dei.polimi.itmatteuccclusteringtutorial.html. Based on this statement it can be concluded that clustering is to help generate ideas and arrange them into good writing.
A cluster is therefore a collection of objects which are “similar” between them and are “dissimilar” to the object belonging to the other clusters www.home.dei.polimi.it
matteuchclusteringtutorial.html. It means that clustering is collecting the similar word or phrases related to the topic and losing the dissimilar word or phrases that are not
related to the topic. Dawson and Essidhttp:www.writing2.richmond.eduwritingwwebcluster.html
state that: To begin to cluster, choose a word that is central to your assignment. For
example, if you “expectations” and write that word in the middle of your sheet of paper. Circle “expectations,” then write words all around it—words that occur to
you as you think of “expectations.” Write down all words that you associate with “expectations,” words that at first may seem to be random. Write quickly, circling
each word, grouping words around your the central word. Connect your new words to previous ones with lines; when you feel you have exhausted a particular
avenue of associations, go back to your central word and begin again.
Based on the statement, it can be concluded that in clustering technique, there are some steps: 1 Choosing a word or phrases; 2 Putting the word or phrases in central;
3 Circling the word or phrases; 4 Writing words all around the word or phrases that associate with the word in central; and 5 Connecting the new word or phrases to
previous ones with lines. Moreover, clustering technique helps the writer or learners to start the writing activity from the new expectation words and develop them in a bubbles
or circles form. Clustering involves writing down a word or phrase and engaging in free association. Each association is written down and connected to the original stimulus by
xxxiii an arrow or line. If association generates further associations, chains of associated words
are produced
http:www.questia.comPM.qst?a=ose=gglsc=76993974. Furthermore clustering is related to words or phrases. The learners start to write down the ideas and then the ideas
are connected by using an arrow or line. It is used to overcome the difficulty in developing ideas. It is effective in reading activity and developing writing skill. It is also
effective if the learners are rich in vocabulary.
b. Benefit of Using Clustering Technique
